Trial begins to appeal Miss FAMU race
Matthew Richardson
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: News
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The trial, Scarlett Williams vs. Electoral Commission, was held April 7 in the Embassy Room. Vincent Evans, counsel to Williams, said he had been asking for an appeal since Feb. 29, which was 39 days.
"The time is always right to do right," Evans said in his opening remarks.
Evans said Williams requested in the appeal to have Byrd retroactively withdrawn because of the amount of points assessed for violations of the elections rules and procedures.
According to the new points system approved by the Electoral Commission and Student Senate, a violation occurs if campaign materials are seen anywhere within the 50-foot mark of a voting precinct on voting day. Each violation is 35 points. Once 50 points are reached, the candidate stands a chance for disqualification.
Evans said Byrd had two counts of violation regarding the 50-foot range violation. This equals 70 points.
Evans went on to explain that the reason for the appeal against the Electoral Commission is because the commission did not do its job.
"The basis is because the E.C. has failed to follow the Student Body Constitution and the rules and procedures it's governed by," he said. "They didn't assess the points right."
In the Electoral Commission's defense, Attorney General Dominique Bercy said in her opening remarks that she would prove that the Electoral Commission did do its job correctly and followed the rules and procedures.
While the plaintiff presented six witnesses, the defense presented three.
Evans presented to the court several memos of violation on the opposing ticket's behalf. According to witnesses, some of Byrd's campaign members were campaigning within the 50-foot line of two precincts: one located at the new pharmacy building and the other at Dyson pharmacy.
Bercy said while the plaintiff did present information saying that the Electoral Commission did not assess points, there was a reason why they were never assessed.
Bercy said since all of the precincts were not labeled correctly on each precinct entrance, the Electoral Commission disregarded the 50-foot violation for one day. That day was February 26.
"Almost every candidate had that (50-foot violation) problem," Bercy said. "Scarlett feels it was not fair."
Bercy said if the Electoral Commission assessed those points for Byrd, everyone else would be assessed points as well because the precinct entrances were not labeled right.
"You can't just disqualify one person," she said. "You can't just forget one person. Keep in mind that Scarlett and Byrd were not the only candidates for Miss FAMU, there was also Denishia Yearby."
The verdict was not released at press time and will be posted online.
"Rather Miss Williams wins her case or not, the system is broken," Evans said. "They (E.C.) are voting one way in the fall and in the spring they vote different."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
badst2903
Fed Up
posted 4/09/08 @ 1:03 PM EST
I just think the entire election process at FAMU has become utterly RIDICULOUS!! As a graduate of FAMU I've seen my fair share of campaigns, and the absolute foolery that takes place during and after campaigns have been won and/or lost continues to amaze me. (Continued…)
FAMU Alumnus
posted 4/09/08 @ 1:49 PM EST
Even if Scarlett wins and is MISS FAMU, she is still not the student bodies choice, losing twice (regular election and run-off) to Miss Byrd. I just want the losers of all these races to have some class, Ardis and Franklin included. (Continued…)
FAMU Product
posted 4/09/08 @ 2:04 PM EST
The voters have spoken and Amanda Byrd is clearly the winner of MISS FAMU. I met Ms. Byrd and was impressed with her humble spirit and love for FAMU. She's the right choice and I know she will represent FAMU well. (Continued…)
Be Real
posted 4/09/08 @ 3:27 PM EST
are u serious. Byrd fliers was little pink sheets of copy paper. She didnt really have a campaign and the only people who voted for her were wannabe's. (Continued…)
Real Talk
posted 4/09/08 @ 3:51 PM EST
To know Amanda Byrd is to know a young lady who truly has a passion for FAMU and the student body. Amanda has been an extremely involved Rattler since she was just a freshman. (Continued…)
Former 'Too Legit To Quit' 2008-09 King of Orange & Green Candidate
posted 4/09/08 @ 5:52 PM EST
In my opinion, I don't think the candidates are being sore losers. The fact is that the electoral commmission was very careless this spring, and some might even day biased. (Continued…)
Concerned
posted 4/10/08 @ 10:27 AM EST
I went to the trial and witnessed both sides present their cases. The judgment was fair and the EC was fair in its ruling when not assessing points for 50 ft violations. (Continued…)
DST 56
posted 4/10/08 @ 12:52 PM EST
AMANDA IS MY SISTER AND I LOVE HER BUT SHE DIDNT EVEN WANT TO BE MS FAMU BECAUSE SHE HAD ALOT GOING ON AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF SHE ISNT EVEN IMPLEMENTING ANYTHING THAT SHE SAID SHE WOULD. (Continued…)
FAMU Product
posted 4/10/08 @ 1:50 PM EST
Amanda was elected MISS FAMU as a result of receiving the most votes. In my opinion, she's the right choice and will represent FAMU with class. I attended the pageant and was impressed with most of the contestants. (Continued…)
diamond j
posted 4/10/08 @ 4:13 PM EST
Okay! The semester is about to be over and we are still complaining and talking about who lost, who won. Its over! Its done. Let's leave it alone and get ready for next year. (Continued…)
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